(AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File) In this Oct. 16, 2011 file photo, vehicles at Handa auto factory are submerged in floodwaters at the Rojana industrial district in Ayutthaya, central Thailand. Honda has extended its North American production slowdown because of a parts shortage caused by the floods.

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Honda is extending a previously-announced slowdown of North American auto production, as flooding in Thailand has damaged supplier operations and created a parts shortage.

All six Honda auto assembly plants in the U.S. and Canada -- including the Japanese automaker's Alabama factory in Lincoln -- will remain on the adjusted schedule through Nov. 23 in the U.S. and Nov. 25 in Canada.

Auto production rates will vary by plant, but some will produce at rates above the 50 percent rate announced in the original slowdown plan, Honda said today.

In addition, non-production days are scheduled for this Friday and Friday, Nov. 18.

During the downtime, Honda employees -- including the 4,000-member Lincoln work force -- can report to work for non-production duties, use a vacation day or take the day off with no pay.